207 
135 W3 



LETTER 



OF 



GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE. 



reprinted from 
*'The Pennsylvania Magazine op History and Biography,' 

April, 1895. 



■ #3 5 "Sz 









LETTER OF GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE. 



[The following letter of General Wayne is addressed to " Captain 
"William Hayman in Wellestown, Chester County," to whom it was de- 
livered by Sharp Delany, Esq.] 

Legion Ville 28'" Decb' 1792. 
Dear Sir 

It's uow seven Months since I left — Waynesborough, 
without having received a single line, either from my own 
family or you — you may repl}' that this is the first from me 
— true but that is not the case with M" Wayne — besides 
every moment of my time is absorbed in publick business — 
the defence of a portion of upwards of One thousand miles 
— & in providing for, & disciplining a i^ew Army — who 
have yet to learn the dreadful trade of death. 

You have undoubtedly had rumours of a general peace 
with the Indians — but the Contrary is the fact — in the 
"Western Country it is serious war. 

However neither War nor Politicks, were the Motives 
of this letter, I will therefore come to the point, — when I 
parted with you — you had the goodness to promise — to see 
that satisfaction was entered upon all Judgments obtained 
in the Supreme and other Courts — against me — is that 
business done. I have very recently had a serious caution 
to be prepared for an Awful charge — k my Monster still 
continues to visit & warn me of its approval. I have had a 
most serious & an alarming attack from a violent lax & 
bilious vomiting — nor has it been in the power of the 
Physicians to check it — but as I have some knowledge of 
my own Constitution — I peremptorily insisted upon taking 



2 Letter of General Anthony Wayne. 

an emetic — which they assured me was both improper & 
dangerous to the last degree in my present weak Condition, 
however I have found considerable relief from it, & by the 
aid of the bark — which I have also taken contrary to their 
Opinion — I had the tone of my Stomach altered for the 
better, yet I am very weak & rather more reduced, than 
when I first arrived with the Army from Georgia in 1783. 

Notwithstanding I have almost every fair day been able 
to ride for one or two hours at a time to direct our Eedouts 
& chain of defence, which are so far perfected, that all the 
Indians in the Wilderness cou'd not force them : 

But as life's uncertain — & mine at this time rather more 
so than usual, I wish to settle the Property I may leave be- 
hind me, so as to prevent any litigation after I am gone 
hence for shou'd I survive this attack, ray breast is not 
bullet-proof — nor can I step a single foot aside to shield it. 
Therefore I pray you let me know what you have done in 
the premises the soonest possible. 

My best — perhaps last — and kindest love and wishes to 
my poor old mother sister & friends & believe me to be with 
sincere Esteem 

Your Affectionate 

Hum. Ser* 

Ant^ Wayne 

Capt W" Hayman 



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